The release of version 25 is significant because it means Google is attempting to bring Chrome for Android in line with the desktop version. The current release of Chrome for Android is version 18, last updated in November.

Today’s beta update features faster JavaScript performance, which shows up on the Octane benchmark as an improvement on average of 25 percent to 30 percent. Furthermore, there are new HTML5 features for developers, such as CSS Filters.

Think of this like the Canary desktop build of Chrome: you can install both Chrome and Chrome Beta side by side on the same Android device. There are no other channels other than stable and beta, so on Android, Chrome beta will only ever be one version above Chrome stable.

The beta channel for Google’s mobile operating system joins the other beta channels available for Windows, Mac, Linux, and Chrome OS. Just like on the other platforms, Chrome Beta for Android offers a preview of new features currently in development, enhancements, and of course bugs.

You get early access and the ability to provide feedback on what’s new and what’s broken. Google wouldn’t say how often the updates would come on Android, but if the other beta channels are any indication, they should be at least monthly.